Scooter Review Piaggio X8 400 ie Is Piaggio’s new GT a case where more is less?
Words by JEREMY BOWDLER With the run-out of the X9 500, is this just less of the same?
Not at all. This X8 has a brand-new engine [see panel] that aims to address the criticisms levelled at the X9’s 500cc MASTER engine, mainly the lumpiness that comes with a big single.
Is the 400 any better?
Yes and no. It’s an advance on the X9’s engine – smoother and with better pick-up. How much of that is due to the new engine or to the smaller capacity (a smaller piston has less reciprocating weight and therefore less vibration) is a bit of a moot point. It still runs more roughly than Yamaha’s new Majesty 400.
Could you get away with calling it “character”?
Look, if the rest of the X8 – the boot set-up, remote locking, and handling – appeals, then yes, it’s not so bad as to stop you buying it. But you’d want to ride the 250 back to back to make sure.
Why? The 400’s got to be better, no?
Yes, it makes more power, but it carries more weight too. Piaggio quotes 25kW for the 400 and 16.2kW for the 250, but the 400 is almost 30kg heavier. My seat of the pants feel is that the 250 gets off the line more quickly, and it is certainly more manoeuvrable.
Why the differences?
It’s just the X8 with a new engine...
No, it’s not. There are some significant changes. To fit the new engine, the chassis had to be altered and the wheelbase kicked out to 1540mm (from
1490) and that slows down the steering a bit, though it’s offset by the larger, 14-inch rear wheel.
To take account of the new power on offer, the 400 has a dual disc set-up at the front, though the discs themselves are slightly smaller than the single
item on the 250. This addresses the slightly underbraked feel of the 250, but at the expense of increased steering effort.
Now that I look, there are other differences, too.
Yes, the bodywork has been restyled, losing the 250’s chromed strips and reworking the front end to bring the scooter more into line with its “GT flagship status”.
Is it worth nine large?
Riding the 400, even if only briefly, just highlights how good the 250 is. Mind you, if I was doing a lot of freeway work or a lot of two-up riding, then I’d
take the 400 like a shot. But, for me, the 250 makes more sense.
Master class
The Piaggio X8 400 ie has a powerful new single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-valve Piaggio MASTER (Multi-valve Advanced Super Torque Engine Range) engine with electronic fuel-injection. The engine boasts lower fuel consumption thanks to the new fuel-injection and, because of the electronic control system and catalytic converter, easily meets Euro3 emissions regulations. Top speed is quoted at 155km/h, with peak torque of 37.6Nm at 5500rpm.
The changes to the new engine, in the interests of quieter, smoother running in city traffic include a redesigned centrifugal clutch. The new clutch bell has five bob weights, with a torque server during deceleration to maximise the effect of the engine brake.
As published in TW SCOOTER MAGAZINE - 12/10/2007
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